Converge ICT Solutions Inc., in partnership with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now offering free pure fiber wifi services to travelers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Nov. 14.
The new wifi network aims to improve and augment the internet capacity of MIAA and fullfill passengers' consistent demand for robust wifi connections in the country's premiere airport, especially in Terminal 3 that handles around 60,000 passengers daily and 13 million travelers annually.
Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy told reporters during the launch that the pure fiber wifi is an early Christmas gift of the telco to passengers.
"This project is also to help build up the country's image. The airport is the face of the Philippines. All these foreigners coming in, and we don't have good wifi to show them is a big setback to us. Everywhere you go, in Hong Kong and other countries, their airports have strong and quality internet," said Uy.
"Internet is a basic right to everyone already. With the initiative of DOTr, CAAP and MIAA, we decided to have the project for the Filipino people," he added.
Previously, Converge lent its free wifi services to power NAIA Terminal 4. Operations to complete the integration of Converge's internet network in Terminal 2 is on-going. Uy said the firm is targeting its completion by December this year until January 2024.
He noted that it is still a challenge to connect its wifi services to Terminal 1 since its infrastructure has not yet been upgraded unlike other terminals. However, he ensured that all four terminals will be connected to Converge by next year.
Uy said they will also provide the free wifi service to all other airports nationwide as part of their agreement with DOTr and CAAP. These include the Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Laoag International Airport, Pagadian Airport, Tacloban Airport, and Zamboanga International Airport.
The telco has activated more than 120 access points in the four-storey facility, extending free access in arrival and departure areas, as well as waiting and retail areas.
The free wifi in NAIA allows passengers two hours or 120 minutes of browsing per day.
Converge subscribers and those who have GoFiber accounts are able to get additional six hours and connect the wifi to five to six gadgets. Surf2Sawa subscribers can also avail of six hours of internet and connect two devices.
Uy added that Converge has a 24/7 monitoring technology to see the unnecessary dangers that may connect to the public network.
Converge joins other telco providers that currently offer network services to passengers in NAIA, primarily Globe Telecom Inc. and Smart Communications.
MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said they saw the need to further upgrade their network services to enhance passenger experience. Customers noted that passengers have commented on the slow speed of the wifi
"It's good to give them choices so they know which service could provide the best possible solution to their needs. While they're at the airport, it's important that they get to be connected. This is becoming a right of our passengers as we're becoming more digitally enabled. Even our airport and other infrastructures are geared towards digital transformation," said Co.
DOTr Jaime Bautista also graced the launch at NAIA Terminal 3, saying the program is proof of the successful partnership between the government and the private sector in providing services to the public.
Other attendees to the wifi launch were Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Assistant Director General for Admin and Finance Capt. Thomas Tannhauser A. Fortun, and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.